OUTDOORS: State needs citizens’ help in tracking turkeys

Anyone who has an interest in wildlife is encouraged to assist the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to count only turkey flocks containing hens and their young poults (broods) this summer.

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By Randy JuliusEnterprise Correspondent

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Randy JuliusEnterprise Correspondent

Posted Jun. 14, 2014 at 8:39 PM
Updated Jun 14, 2014 at 8:42 PM

By Randy JuliusEnterprise Correspondent

Posted Jun. 14, 2014 at 8:39 PM
Updated Jun 14, 2014 at 8:42 PM

» Social News

While driving on Saturday, I saw a hen turkey walking into the woods followed by a good number of small poults. They were in the same spot where I had seen several tom turkeys back in April just before the one-day special youth turkey hunt.

After seeing the toms, I decided to take my brother Dale’s 15-year-old grandson Patrick to the same area for the youth hunt. It turned out to be a miserable, cold, wet morning to be in the woods, but we hunted hard and he ended up getting a nice jake for his efforts.

I thought about that hunt when I saw the hen on Saturday and was glad to see a good number of young birds replenishing the number of turkeys in the area, because there seemed to be very few birds around this spring.

I hunted hard this year and didn’t see anywhere near the turkeys I normally do. The majority of hunters I’ve talked to said they were not seeing many either, and most felt that the deep snow and frigid cold temperatures took a big toll on the birds over the winter.

When the state releases this year’s turkey harvest report, I’m looking forward to seeing how the numbers compare to past seasons. I’m also going to talk to some of the biologists at MassWildlife to get their thoughts on winter’s effect on turkeys and other wildlife.

You can help with the state’s efforts to count turkeys, especially if you have birds in your neighborhood. Anyone who has an interest in wildlife is encouraged to assist the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to count only turkey flocks containing hens and their young poults (broods) this summer.

The division conducts an annual wild turkey brood survey from June through August.

Scarpitti also points out that citizen involvement in this survey is a cost-effective means of gathering useful data, and he encourages all interested people to participate.

A brood survey form is posted on the agency website. Information needed includes date, town, number of hens seen, and number of poults and the poults’ relative size compared to the hens. Multiple sightings of the same brood can also be noted. The survey period runs from June 1-Aug. 31. Completed forms should to be mailed to: Brood Survey, DFW Field Headquarters, 100 Hartwell St., Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

Gun bill: Mike DiBlasio of Taunton called on Saturday to talk about fishing. He also informed me that this Wednesday there is going to be a Gun Owners Action League Rally and Lobby Day.

Page 2 of 2 - In a recent Goal Alert, executive director Jim Wallace reported that they are now embroiled in their biggest legislative battle since 1998. Once again anti-civil rights legislators are attempting to restrict our civil rights in the name of “public safety” and it is important to contact your legislators and tell them you oppose this bill.

“The bill released by House Speaker Robert DeLeo on May 27 (H.4121 An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence) has within it some of the greatest threats to our Second Amendment civil rights we have ever witnessed,” Wallace wrote. “If passed, this bill will expand unconstitutional ‘suitability’ to FID Cards, lower the bar for misdemeanor disqualifiers, banning so-called private sales and much more.

“The aftermath of the 1998 Gun Control Act, commonly known as Chapter 180, brought us an 80 percent reduction in licensed gun owners. It also brought with it a drastic increase in gun crime in the commonwealth. Gun-related homicides increased by 100 percent and gun-related assaults increased by 200 percent! No rational person can call this a success, yet there are some who wish to double down on the failed legislation passed in 1998. This is why we have dubbed H.4121 Chapter 180 Part II.”

Wallace said that they expect H.4121 to move very quickly over the next few weeks and it is important to contact state lawmakers to take a stand against this bill. He also suggests when contacting your elected officials, be courteous. Harsh language and improper behavior will only harm the effort.